Whether it’s dropping ornery kernels of knowledge on “The Boondocks” or yelling “Bang, Bang, Bang,” John Witherspoon is one of the most active comics in the industry. Witherspoon is a stalwart on a circuit that typically favors the flavor of the moment. He’s opened for the late legendary Richard Pryor, he’s worked with Chris Tucker in the hit movies “Friday” and a rising comedian Kevin Hart in “Soul Plane.” These days Witherspoon is known more for voicing granddad on “The Boondocks.” He performs at the new Comedy Zone in the N.C. Music Factory today through Saturday. He tours nearly 40 weeks a year. In this interview Witherspoon talks about his proposed talk show, his love of the word M.F. and more.
How do you like doing animation versus movies?
I don’t have to worry about dressing up and make up. On the Wayans Brothers I had to work everyday for five days. (With “Boondocks”) I can go in with my pajamas and do the cartoon.
What movie projects are you working on?
Ice Cube said he wants to do another “Friday.” Which will be great if they ever get it going before everybody gets to old or it’ll be Sunday afternoon.
How do you remain relevant?
You have to do everything: commercials, acting, voiceover, writing.
What can people expect from your stand-up?
My commentary on movies, what happening in the world and all of that type of stuff.
Getting married. When you marry your wife you not only marry her, you marry her you marry the whole family. Earthquakes in California. Obama. Impressions of the Temptations. Al Green. I loved the word motherf—–. Shakespeare should have used M.F. in one of his tragedies. (Article continues below)
You mentioned your son wants to be a comedian. Is he funnier than you are?
No. It’s not as easy as it seems. They don’t understand anything about comedy. They don’t know the trials and tribulations we go through.
Are these new young comedians good?
Some of them are good. Some of them are bad. It’s a pattern that they get into and you can’t get into a pattern. You have to be yourself.
What are you working on now?
A cooking show. I’m tired of these boring cooking shows. It will be called “Cooking For Poor People.” When you’re hungry everything tastes good. It features a lady ripped off by Bernie Madoff, rappers who couldn’t make it (and) old strippers.
What kind of cooking show would that be?
The woman who was ripped off by Madoff used to have a house in Malibu. Now, she’s eating neckbones with me. The three rappers have to rap-off for two pieces of fish.
What type of fish?
Red snapper. Red snapper is the dumbest fish in the sea.
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